Tuesday, 10 January 2017

The Sunny Side of the Street

Recently
I
went to Bridgeside Lodge Care Home in Islington to see for myself the
work carried out by the Spitz Charitable Trust. It was set up by my
old friend Jane Glitre to 'relieve social isolation in local
communities through the power of live music.' Bringing professional
musicians to perform alongside the residents of places such as
Bridgeside, at this gig vocalist Emine Pirhasan was accompanied by
Arthur Lea on keyboards
performing songs by Aretha Franklin, Bill Withers, Ben E King, Jonny
Nash, Fats Waller, Louis Armstrong and Jimmy Cliff. Not a white cliff
of Dover in sight, which tells us all we need to know about the speed
of time! The home overlooks the Regent Canal and when I looked across
the water at the Hanover Primary School I could see kids in the gym
skimming about the floor to music. There was no skimming here at
Bridgeside, but there was movement of mind and body which was at
least as impressive. John had been wheeled into the room slumped to
one side and apparently asleep. But as 'Stand By Me' opened he
started tapping his feet and mouthing the words. In another
wheelchair Julia's initial contribution of loud vocal exclamations
gave way to hand and arm dancing in perfect rhythm with the
musicians. Song sheets were handed out and most joined in with their
favourites. One woman who didn't seem to be aware of her surroundings
grabbed a rattle and with determination moved it and herself into the
rhythm. A lot of the songs referred to sunshine. 'On the sunny side
of the street', 'You are the sunshine of my life', 'Sunlight hurts my
Eyes' and my favourite for this bright sunny winter
morning, Jonny Nash's, 'Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind,
It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)Sun-Shiny day.'